GOAD (מַלְמָד, H4913, from לָמַד, H4340, “to learn,” Piel, “to teach,” דָּרְבֹנָה, H1996; κέντρον, G3034). A sharp stick used for prodding cattle, particularly during plowing. It could have an iron tip (cf. 1 Sam 13:21—a problematic v.) and also could be utilized for cleaning plows, prob. with a blade on the other end. Shamgar used an oxgoad as a spear while killing 600 Philistines (Judg 3:31). The lack of real weapons because of the Philistine iron monopoly occasioned this usage.

In a metaphorical sense, the words of the wise (Eccl 12:11) are compared to goads as they encourage and rebuke. The only NT reference to goads concerns Christ’s rebuke to Paul on the Damascus road for kicking against the goads, the divine leading (Acts 26:14). See Prick.